The battalion of frames encircled the three guardians, herding them out of the elevator and into a large semicircular space with panoramic windows that were tinted black. Scattered about several walls were a series of control panels that no doubt managed everything on the space station. In the center of the room, a white rug was rolled out across the floor, on which rested several equally white armchairs organized around a modern style coffee table. Delta’s heart skipped a beat when he realized that one of the chairs was occupied. He watched as a head of black hair dipped and an arm wrapped in a white sleeve set a book atop the coffee table. Yara Sayyed stood up and brushed off her lab coat, careful not to move her other arm too much, which was resting in a sling. She eyed the red heels beside the chair, and decided to leave them there in favor of comfort. At last she turned towards the collective of robots and guardians. Delta looked into her brown eyes looking for malice, but was shocked to find only defeat. He realized that the rest of her body exuded weakness too. Her hair was unkept, her posture was low, her lab coat needed cleaning, and her bare feet faintly trembled against the soft carpet. “Sayyed…” Delta stared. “What happened to you?” The scientist ignored him, and shifted an angry gaze to Oscar, who stood just off to the side. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” The white exo looked up in confusion. “Apologies. I’m afraid I don’t understand.” She made an exaggerated gesture towards the guardians. “I told you to let them come in! Now look, you’ve dragged them up here like prisoners!” Oscar frowned. “They [i]are[/i] prisoners. Did you really expect me to let them waltz up here armed to the teeth?” Sayyed became furious. “Yes,” she hissed. “I told you, Oscar! No more operations! It’s over!” At that point, Adriar had to speak up because he was very lost. “Sorry, what’s over?” “The Defense,” Delta said plainly, never taking his eyes off of Sayyed. He took a step forward and the frames aimed their weapons at the sudden movement. He glanced at them with annoyance. “You’re shutting it all down,” he said, addressing the scientist. “Why?” Sayyad’s expression softened just a little, a glint of hopelessness in her eyes. Without saying a word, she turned around and walked meekly to the central console just behind the chairs. She pushed a button and shifted her gaze to the panoramic windows that spanned the control deck. The guardians watched as the black tinted windows slowly faded, becoming transparent. In a matter of seconds, a grand view of the planet below became visible. The sight was impressive, but that is not what caught Delta’s attention. Delta’s eyes grew large as he witnessed a series of explosions just above the Earth’s atmosphere. Beyond that, a massive fleet of long red warships slowly descended in formation. Adriar looked on in shock. “No. Is that…?” “Cabal,” Ross confirmed, gaping at the scene. Sayyed stuffed her hands in the pockets of her lab coat as she spectated. “The Red Legion,” she corrected. “They have come for your light, guardians. They destroy the City’s satellites as we speak.” “They will be unsuccessful,” said Ross hopefully. “The Skyline defense system will warn the vanguard of the invasion.” Sayyed just shook her head. “I’m afraid not.” Though he wore a helmet, the color draining from Adriar’s face was obvious. “What do you mean?” The scientist finally turned to the guardians and spoke to them directly. “Why do you think the Red Legion hasn’t destroyed this station yet? They are definitely in range to do so. You see, I struck a deal. Our lives are spared, and in return… we sabotaged the Skyline defense system.” Delta trembled as the gravity of the situation became very clear. A dark flame ignited in his soul. Thanks to Sayyed, the Cabal would execute a surprise attack on the Last City. Thousands of people would die, and his home would fall. Slowly, he put a hand to the side of his helmet. “Where is my contingency plan?” he spoke impatiently into the coms. Oscar shifted his stance in concern. “Who are you talking to?” There was a buzzing sound as the gung-ho voice of a Titan reverberated inside Delta’s helmet. “Thirty seconds to arrival, fearless leader!” A frame suddenly came running in from one of the back rooms towards Oscar with a tablet in its hands. “Sir!” it called in a grainy, monotone voice. The white exo frowned at the intrusion. “What now?” The frame practically shoved the tablet in Oscar’s face, pointing at the screen. “There was an electrical disturbance at hatch 14. It appears a cloaked ship has been docked on the station’s exterior for some time now.” Oscar’s eyes widened as he realized too late what that meant. A loud ding resounded through the room, announcing the arrival of the lift. Sayyed eyed the doors curiously, unmoving. Oscar put a hand on his holstered sidearm as the elevator doors quickly split apart. Through the doorway stepped a Titan in red Vanir armor, followed by a Warlock clad in golden Starfire Protocol robes. Solomon pumped his shotgun and grinned wildly. “Surprise!” The Titan raised his favorite weapon and blew the head off of the nearest frame, plunging the room into chaos. As the robots opened fire on the newcomers, Oscar quickly pushed a button on his wrist, activating an emergency beacon. Several more automata came rushing in from the back rooms, followed by two stomping tankbusters. Eager to retrieve his precious Mida, Delta thrust a palm burning with void energy into a nearby frame, causing it to explode and singe a few others with searing purple wisps. He leapt forward towards his target, but was stopped in his tracks as a huge metal fist collided with his stomach. The impact sent him flying backwards, crashing into one of the station’s control consoles. The exo gasped, trying to regain the focus that was just pummeled out of him. Through his helmet, he could make out the blurry figure of a tankbuster looming over him. The machine raised its fist again for a crushing downward blow, and Delta braced. There was a robotic exclamation of surprise as the enormous frame stumbled from a sudden fiery blow to its back. It was helpless as multiple solar spheres consumed its extremities. Fire arched through the lumbering form, melting the armor plating, causing the inner skeleton to crumble into ash. The frame’s scorched husk fell over and a golden Sunsinger stood in its place, wings of fire erupting from his back. Lassiter smiled as his Radiance began to fade, and approached his fellow Warlock with a hand outstretched. Delta took his hand and stood up with his help. “Thanks for the save.” “No problem!” said lassiter. “This is way more fun than the last raid.” With that, the Sunsinger held out with his other arm, Delta’s Mida in his grasp. “I believe this is yours.” Delta took it without hesitation. It didn’t feel right without that rifle in his hands. He grasped the barrel and caressed the trigger, eyeing the tooth that still clung tightly underneath. “That’s more like it.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=243203582&sort=0&page=0]Part 7[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]